Drumcree policing operation has cost £3m so far, says Boutcher

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said the policing operation over the Drumcree parading dispute has cost about £3m so far.

Speaking at a meeting of the Policing Board, he described the situation as "challenging" - but said that despite "very significant tensions" there had been no violence.

The stand-off - over a proposed Orange Orange parade in Portadown, opposed by nationalist residents of the Garvaghy Road - has lasted since Sunday morning.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has deployed a significant number of officers, with Boutcher saying he had a responsibility to preserve peace and maintain order.

During the meeting, it also emerged that the Policing Board has launched a code-of-conduct investigation into one of its members, Sinn Féin's Deirdre Hargey.

She was pictured taking part in an unlawful protest against the march on the Garvaghy Road on Sunday.

Hargey attended the board meeting after a failed attempt by Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Trevor Clarke to have her barred.

With the PSNI currently being unable to police the Parades Commission ruling to allow the march , Boutcher said he was giving "space" for negotiations.

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